Thus, PHEV deploys its N protein to simultaneously sabotage RIG-I sensing and IRF3 effector functions, enabling covert immune evasion critical for neurotropic pathogenesis.IMPORTANCEPorcine hemagglutinating encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV) causes lethal encephalomyelitis in piglets by exploiting neuronal immune vulnerabilities. Here, IRF3 is linked to encephalomyelitis.